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City of Columbia council approves budget amendment and multiple infrastructure, contract and administrative items; defers short-term rental ordinances
Summary
At the March 13 City of Columbia council meeting members approved a fiscal-year budget amendment, accepted multiple contracts and infrastructure projects by roll-call votes, authorized grant applications and accepted donations; four short-term rental-related zoning ordinances were deferred to April to comply with new public notice rules.
The City of Columbia City Council on March 13 approved a series of administrative, resolution and ordinance actions by roll-call vote, including adoption of a fiscal-year 2024–25 budget amendment and multiple contract awards and infrastructure acceptances. Several zoning ordinance items concerning short-term rentals were deferred to the April meeting to comply with changed state public notice requirements.
Nut graf: The meeting recorded a block of largely noncontroversial approvals—contracts, grant applications and infrastructure acceptances—that advance capital projects and public services, while council deferred several citywide short-term rental ordinance items because recent state law changes required additional public-notice timing.
Key votes and formal actions at a glance (items moved, seconded and approved unless noted):
- Public hearing 1 closed: public hearing on Ordinance No. 4,540 (amending FY2024–25 budget) was opened for comment and, with no public or council comments, the hearing was closed by motion and unanimous roll call.
- Ordinance 45-40 (amend FY2024–25 budget as amended): Second consideration and approval by roll-call vote (record shows unanimous ayes). This corresponds to the ordinance identified earlier in the public hearing docket as Ordinance No. 4,540.
- Consent agenda (Items 7.1–7.13) approved as a block (unanimous): notable items included approval of bid awards and construction contracts (summary below). The consent agenda items read into the record and approved included but were not limited to: • Item 7.1: approval of monthly disbursements for January 2025 (amount in transcript garbled; not specified). • Item 7.4: Change Order No. 1 with Morrison Engineering LLC for parking garage rehabilitation (increase $2,250). • Item 7.5: Change Order No. 1 with Nickel Company LLC for CDBG sidewalk improvements (decrease $154,264.98) — Wards 2 and 3. • Item 7.6: FY2024–25 street resurfacing list (Wards 1–5) approved. • Item 7.7: Bid award to Hawkins and Price LLC for Carter's Creek Force Main relocation ($489,755). • Item 7.8: Purchase of a 2025 Kubota mini excavator from R.J.B. Kubota ($56,580.35) via Sourcewell contract. • Item 7.9: Contract with Cumberland Valley Constructors Inc. for Bear Creek Pike Sewage Pump Station Replacement ($5,272,800). • Item 7.11: Ratify emergency sewer repair at Fire Station 4, 5040 Trotwood Avenue ($55,989). • Item 7.12: Nonexclusive use and occupancy permit with the Maury County School Board of Education (permit details not specified). • Item 7.13: Bid award to S & W Contracting Company, LLC for downtown mast arm replacement ($1,308,800).
- Administration and resolutions approved (unanimous unless noted): • 8.1: Approve O’Connor v. City of Columbia settlement agreement (motion approved by roll call). • 8.2 / Res. 25-19: Accept ownership and maintenance of street and drainage improvements in Chase Pointe Park Subdivision Section 1 (approved). • 9.1 / Res. 25-10: Authorize mayor to sign automatic response aid agreement for fire services with Maury County Fire Department (approved); mayor and chief characterized the measure as establishing a formal mutual-aid relationship. • 9.2 / Res. 25-16: Accept ownership and maintenance of sewer improvements serving Carter Station West Phase 3 (approved). • 9.3 / Res. 25-17: Tax corrections (approved). • 9.4 / Res. 25-18: Accept ownership and maintenance of sewer improvements serving Honey Farm Crossing (approved). • 9.5 / Res. 25-20: Authorize the City of Columbia to apply for the Tennessee Small Cities CDBG Program, accept award and authorize mayor to execute related documents (approved). • 9.6 / Res. 25-21: Accept sponsorship donations totaling $19,000 for the 2025 Mid State Classic Softball Games at Ridley Sports Complex (approved).
- Personnel and administrative approvals (unanimous): • 6.1: Approve minutes of Feb. 13, 2025 city council meeting (approved). • 6.2: Approve retirement benefits for Derek Kathy, Foreman, Sewer Rehabilitation (approved).
- Ordinances deferred to April (motion to defer approved; no debate on merits per procedure): • 10.1 / Ordinance 45-36: Amend zoning ordinance Article 4 (building lot and building site standards) — deferred for proper publication. • 10.2 / Ordinance 45-37: Amend development services filing fee schedule (deferred). • 10.3 / Ordinance 45-38: Amend zoning ordinance Article 9 (definitions) — deferred. • 10.5 / Ordinance 45-41: Amend short-term rental standards in Articles 4 and 9 — deferred.
Process note: Council stated at the start of the meeting that items 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 and 10.5 concern short-term rental regulation and would be deferred because state public-notice timing changed in the most recent legislative session; the mayor said only the deferral motion may be debated.
Ending: The meeting concluded after a brief “good of council” period and adjournment by unanimous roll call.
